Quick BP tip

17Aug09

Not all cultures see things like we see them, and understand things how we say them. Many indigenous people (aboriginal in this part of the world, but applicable anywhere, really) have a different sense of belonging.

If you need to do a set of vitals on them, tell them that you will check their blood pressure. A colleague of mine recently told a patient he will have to take the patients blood pressure, upon which he sincerely and without joking responded: “what are you taking, and will you give it back?”

Not a good start if your patient is already reluctant to be in the back of your ambulance, and an easy mishap to avoid.

For more (practical) blood pressure checking tips, check out Greg Frieses Blood Pressure Assessment Tips.

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Tags: blood pressure, BP, indigenous, wording